Regulations of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education - Secondary Design: Middle and High School Learning Environments and the Rhode Island Diploma System (204-RICR-20-00-06)

Regulation Authority:

R.I.G.L. 16-60-4, 16-67-6, 16-7.1.2

Purpose and Reason:

The amended regulations approved by the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education, for the purpose of public review and comment, are revised for the purpose of establishing the framework for implementing the Rhode Island Diploma System. These regulations require all school districts to develop and implement a comprehensive secondary diploma system for middle and high schools that includes: student and teacher supports, local aligned policies, multiple learning opportunities for all students, and multiple measures for determining graduation readiness. These regulations reflect key learning principles that have been identified since the 2003 secondary school regulations that are seen as imperative for ensuring college and career ready graduates including: proficiency-based graduation requirements; comprehensive supports to students; personalized learning experiences; common planning time and professional development support for teachers. This amendment does not substantively change current policy for Rhode Island secondary schools, rather it clarifies existing regulation. The regulations increase flexibility for schools and students in meeting state graduation requirements. The amended regulations extend the previous regulatory expectations for literacy skill acquisition to support numeracy acquisition for all students; clarify that all coursework requirements must demonstrate proficiency at a level aligned to high school content standards; a shift in state assessment from a student-based requirement to a school-system based incentive; expanding allowable personalization strategy options; and clarify sufficient notification of graduation requirements for students and their families.